Found out I have family connection to Indy 500 (and motorsports) ... Kurtis-Kraft

[racermike]

Just in shock, discovering that my great uncle, on my mothers side of the family, was in fact Frank Kurtis (real surname was Kuretich)

Discovered this early monday, but did a lot of searching and making sure all my facts were straight.

He built a lot of cars for the Indy 500 in the 50's, the Kurtis-Kraft powered Offy's. He also had numerous wins and championships in the Champ car dirt trail (midgets).

Gonna take me a lot of catching up, to go back and read about him, and his involvement in motorsports history. This is all just overwhelming to me almost, and cant believe after ALL this time I have spent on the track, and knowing about his cars, that I had NO idea that he was family.

http://www.americansportscars.com/kurtis.html

http://www.coastal181.com/nlm-working-April-2005/Open_Wheel/250-kurtis-kraft.jpg

http://www.coastal181.com/nlm-working-April-2005/Open_Wheel/250-indy-cars-Kurtis.jpg

[chop456]

That's way cooler than finding out you're related to Bill Kurtis.

[opinionated ow]

Awesome! I've seen some of the Kurtis Kraft midgets out here, absolutely gorgeous machines from a phenomenal era of racing. An era that gave us Sir Jack Brabham starting his career in midgets!

[nrc]

Do you see now that the solution is putting the engines back in front where they belong?

[rabbit]

Found out I have family connection to Indy 500 (and motorsports)Well, you know what this means. Now you're qualified to start your own racing series! See also --> :gomer:

[JohnHKart]

Wow!!! Totally cool! My Classic Car a couple of weeks back just featured a street car that was based on one of his Indycars.

[racermike]

Well, you know what this means. Now you're qualified to start your own racing series! See also --> :gomer:

I dont have a family war chest to have a temper tantrum and go off and make my own series :gomer: